Monday Morning Ministries
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Serving The Community

Each year, approximately one million people die from suicide and 10-20 times that many people attempt it.  That’s about one death every 40 seconds and one attempted suicide every 3 seconds.  To put this into perspective, according to the World Health Organization, suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those 15-34 years old.

Worldwide, the prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed for two reasons.  One there is a basic lack of awareness of suicide as a major social problem, and two it is taboo in many societies to discuss the topic of suicide openly.  Suicide prevention requires intervention by our government and private health sectors, our education systems, law enforcement, judicial system, religious and political leadership, and the media.

The overall objective of Monday Morning Ministries is to raise public awareness of the issues that lead to suicidal tendencies; to reduce mortality and morbidity due to suicidal behaviors; and to break the taboo which surrounds the treatment of the problems that lead people to consider suicide.  To that end, this ministry was established to meet that objective by helping bring together those individuals, organizations, and businesses that can teach, train, and support the people of our communities.

 

Serving Those Who Serve 
 
     
An excessively high rate of mental health & behavioral adjustment problems have been associated with an increased rate of suicides among the U.S. Armed Forces.  There are approximately 308 million people living in the U.S.  By way of contrast, the rate of suicide in the U.S. is about 10.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
 
 ArmyMarines Navy

Suicides in 2008

143

4241

 Suicides in 2009

238

 52

 35

 Suicides in 20104619243

Rate per 100,000

 23

24

 11.6

In 2010, now for the 6th consecutive year, the U.S. Army if facing yet another increase in the number of personnel who commit suicide.  The number of suicides in 2009 shattered the total from 2008, and initial indications are that those numbers will be passed this year.  Even worse, the figures do not include the number of Service Members who attempted to commit suicide.  We have great suicide awareness programs - but we fall incredibly short in making any real progress as policies alone don't change culture.  Our protocols preclude real change from taking place and our leaders still don't allow others outside of policymakers to help effect change.

1As of March 11, 2010: 46 (26 Active and 20 Reserve).
2As of February 28, 2010: 9 Active Duty Marines.
3As of March 5, 2010: 4 Active Duty Sailors.

The rates above also do not account for veterans after they leave the military.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 25 million veterans in the U.S.  The VA also reports  that nearly 1,000 veterans attempt suicide every month in its medical facilities and over 6,500 veterans commit suicide every year. 

Believing that military leaders need to be trained and better equipped to identify specific intervention options for reducing suicide risk, Monday Morning Ministries provides free training and educational material to families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
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Monday Morning Ministries is a nonprofit charity founded by veterans for veterans.
Our services and efforts are not endorsed by the Department of Defense or any branch of the military.
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